Courtesy of Sue CramerSue Cramer, center, of Plainwell and author Karen Hossink of Lansing, right, chat with other women attending a recent "Praise and Coffee" gathering at the Plainwell Coffee Mill.

PLAINWELL -- A new ministry founded by a Plainwell woman combines the technology of Internet blogging with the time-tested practice of conversation over coffee.

The first "Praise and Coffee" gathering was held Nov. 20 at the Plainwell Coffee Mill as a way to combine fellowship and encouragement for women, founder Sue Cramer said. Through her Praise and Coffee blog, the idea has spread to other locations in the United States.

Cramer was inspired to start the gatherings by conversations with other women, both on her blog and locally.

"I sensed a real need for women to have a time-out, to connect and kick back and have fun," Cramer said. "So I thought we would just try to have evenings where the focus is fellowship and encouragement. I'm really surprised by how well it's taken off. It's really been fun."

The first gathering attracted 60 women; the second, 40 (during a snowstorm). Sixty women have signed up for an event in March, a weekend conference at the Plainwell Comfort Inn. The Plainwell meetings have drawn women from the region but also readers of Cramer's blog from the eastern side of the state -- and beyond.

"A lady from Australia who reads my blog happened to be visiting family in Allegan around Thanksgiving. So she was able to come to the first one," Cramer said.

Other groups, following suggestions on the blog about how to start Praise and Coffee gatherings, have been formed elsewhere in Michigan and in Florida, Minnesota and California. The groups are free to establish their format any way they wish but usually follow a set of suggestions posted on the blog.

Meets a need

Praise and Coffee has grown because it taps into a need for women, Cramer said.
"We're relational. We want to rub shoulders with each other and get out for a night. There are not a lot of options for women who don't want to hang out in the bars," Cramer said.

A typical Praise and Coffee event runs from 7 to 9 p.m. on the scheduled night at the Plainwell Coffee Mill. The first hour is reserved for informal fellowship. Then the group heads upstairs to the Eesley Place Banquet Center. Cramer opens with a short presentation designed to encourage the women in their Christian faith. The large group then breaks into smaller groups where women can discuss topics and pray.

The Plainwell gatherings take place every six weeks. That's the right amount of space between meetings, Cramer said.

"I don't want women to have to decide between church events and this. We're trying to be careful and not interfere with the churches. We also don't want to overwhelm women with a bunch of stuff outside the home. Home and family are No. 1," she said.
The gatherings attract women from across denominational lines, and the same goes for the new leadership team Cramer said has been formed with members from five area churches.

Community sponsors have chipped in -- contributions helped keep the program portion of the March conference free.

All women, both Christian and non-Christian, are welcome to attend any Praise and Coffee gathering.

"The verse we've worked off is Matthew 18:20 ('When two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there.') We're connecting women with each other and with the Lord. Hopefully, Christian women will bring in friends who don't know him yet," Cramer said.

Cramer said she isn't sure how far or how fast the ministry can grow. She is determined that it retains a personal touch.

"I'm seeing a lot of women who just need to connect," she said. " Sometimes, the chance to just need to sit down and have a laugh with someone and feel that their story is important is exactly what they need."